Chambers of the world reject protectionism and call for greater inclusiveness in trade

The Global Chamber Platform (GCP), an organisation that brings together the major national and trans-national Chamber organisations from the four corners of the globe, has called on heads of state and government to convey a clear message against unjustified trade barriers, protectionism and populism at the 2017 G20 Summit.

Berlin, 2 May 2017

This was made clear in a statement adopted at the 15th annual gathering of the GCP in Berlin today. The GCP will continue to actively raise its concerns during the B20 Business Summit this week, thus feeding into the G20 process.

The growing economic interdependence of different countries has ensured the preservation of peace and wealth. Whoever advocates protectionism and isolation puts all of this at risk.

GCP Chairman, Christoph Leitl

“International trade has led to the creation of millions of jobs in the European Union during the last decade. The growing economic interdependence of different countries has also ensured the preservation of peace and wealth. Whoever advocates protectionism and isolation puts all of this at risk,” warned GCP Chairman, Christoph Leitl, who is also the Honorary President of EUROCHAMBRES.

In its statement, the Global Chamber Platform also stresses that further steps have to be taken to make trade policy fairer and more inclusive. Support for less qualified workers is also key. “We have to help those who see themselves as losers from globalisation. A major difference could be made by creating new opportunities through enhanced vocational training and skills development, as well as by increasing the mobility of workers“, underlined Leitl.

Measures must also be taken to ensure that SMEs can benefit from international opportunities. “The GCP calls upon the heads of government and state of the G20 to commit themselves, in particular in the framework of the WTO, to advance the needs of SMEs on the multilateral level through concrete initiatives“, said Leitl.

Note: The Global Chamber Platform, which was founded in 2002, aims to facilitate international trade and market access, and to develop coherent and innovative responses to the challenges of globalisation.

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Wouter Van Gulck is the general manager of the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce since 2007. After a short period as a sales manager in the insurance sector, he opted for an international trade career. From 1995 to 2004, he worked as a trade commissioner for Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) in Johannesburg and New York. After coming back to Belgium, he worked for the Vice-Minister-President of the Flemish government as deputy head of cabinet in charge of foreign trade. He holds a Master’s degree in law of the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) and a MBA of the Vlerick Leuven Ghent Management School (Belgium). Amongst others, he is a member of the board of directors of ICC Belgium, of the General Council of ICC World Chambers Federation as well as of CIFAL Flanders.